News Main Menu

Katsigianis named Penn State Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus

Ted Katsigianis, vice president of agricultural sciences for the Biltmore Co. in Asheville, North Carolina, will be honored as the 2018 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus.Image: Biltmore Co.

Katsigianis named Penn State Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus

April 06, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ted Katsigianis, vice president of agricultural sciences for the Biltmore Co. in Asheville, North Carolina, will be honored as the 2018 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State's Department of Animal Science during the Little I/Dairy Expo Weekend April 13-14 at University Park.

Katsigianis is a 1975 and 1979 alumnus in animal science, having earned both his master's degree and his doctoral degree under Professor Thomas Merritt. Since 1983, he has led the company's programs in sustainable agriculture and agricultural tourism on Biltmore's 8,000-acre estate in Asheville. The company implemented the farm-to-table philosophy long before it became a popular concept.

"It is a great pleasure to recognize Ted as the Distinguished Animal Science Alumnus," said Terry Etherton, head of the Department of Animal Science. "His outstanding leadership at the Biltmore Estate reflects his strong commitment to education and improvement of the livestock industry. Because of his continuing efforts, millions of people who visit the estate every year have the opportunity to better understand the value of agriculture."

Katsigianis is grateful for the support he received in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "I owe a great deal to the faculty and staff of the Department of Animal Science for my career success," he said. "I am honored to receive this recognition."

Prior to his role at Biltmore, Katsigianis was assistant professor of animal science at the University of Maryland, where he was responsible for development of extension education programs; and assistant extension professor of animal sciences at the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of a team responsible for the development and execution of statewide educational livestock programs.

In 2016, he received the Alumni Fellow Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and in 2017 he was inducted in the College of Agricultural Sciences' Armsby Society. In 2009, the North American International Livestock Exposition honored Katsigianis with the Vision Award for outstanding service to the industry.

He has been featured in articles and shows in the Washington Post, Progressive Farmer, Penn State Ag Science, WYFF-TV, UNC-TV and "I Am Angus." He has served on local, regional and national agricultural industry boards, including North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Foundation, North Carolina Angus Association, and the American Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society.

While a student, Katsigianis served on the Penn State-U.S. Agency for International Development Bahamas project team as on-site animal scientist. He was elected to several honor societies including Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta and Phi Kappa Phi.

A native of New York, Katsigianis didn't grow up on a farm, but worked every summer on farms before attending college. He received a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts and a master's in biology from the State University of New York.